Through The Veil

Through The Veil

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

I've been doing much research on my ancestry. A poem addressed to my Great grandfather James

"
I thought of you today
the music was to blame.
You filtered through my soul
and greeted me in pain.
Now after all these years
of never knowing you,
why do you visit me?
I haven't got a clue.

Perhaps you came to say
you died in quiet shame.
Upon an old park bench
your only claim to fame.
It's others that you hurt
through drink you lost it all.
I've tried to understand
believe me I have trawled

Through memories and words
and though we've never met.
I think I understand
but still I can't forget
what Grandma wouldn't say
when asked about her Dad.
She turned the other way
her face was stained and sad.

But older me knows too,
we all have our own flaws.
I've been looking at my own
as well as all of yours.
And who am I to preach,
so when I think of you,
you may be out of reach,
yet love still trickles through.

© 2018 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

This resonates with me Chris, i too trace family trees, and have learned so much about a grandmother i never knew yet have always felt close to.

Things were different and very hard hard in those days and so we know we must not judge.

it is strange how someone who passed on so long ago who we have never been told about can somehow slip into our hearts ..

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Hello Stella, it is strange, but when I find out about them all, I really feel connected. It plays o.. read more
Stella Armour

6 Years Ago

well yes until i traced this grandmother of mine i ddin't know her fist child was out of wedlock the.. read more
Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Terrible lives they led by our standards today.



Reviews

It seems really interesting..The entire concept is quite different from what I get to read here..And I must say you expressed it beautifully..Actually , the title made me read this poem..It sounded really interesting..Well , I actually never even thought about writing my ancestors..
Well done and keep on writing...

Posted 6 Years Ago


Making peace with old ghost, this poem has a smooth rhyme as you tell your tale.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Cherrie
I love going through family ancestry! All my aunts and uncles passed years ago, so its like opening boxes on Christmas morning - you simply discover something new every time you look.

I've always been one who believes that the souls of our departed are always with us. That is the message you've given us, here...and I thank you for that!

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Kelly. They certainly hover near me.

Chris
A deeply heart-felt piece indeed! You did a wonderful job!

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you so much. I appreciate your response Levi
Levi Levin

6 Years Ago

Your welcome!
The rhyme scheme and how you stick to it is top notch.

It was a fun read but with a touch of melancholy in regards to his flaws.

Makes me kinda want to write a poem about my own ancestors. But most of them were either drunken canadian fishermen or pretentious french academics... eh, never mind, I don't want to write about that. I'll just read yours one more time.




Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you. I am sure that if we all delved back there would be many of us who would come across ance.. read more
Sounds like my childhood. My stepdad was an alcoholic and made me and my sibling's lives miserable. My mother didn't care about us and drunk.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Sad existence for you. This was in 1910, very many years ago.

Chris
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A very sweetly written poem, Christine.

It is difficult to see past the personal failures of the loved ones in our lives, especially if those failures had wide reaching consequences on those others we love. It takes a brave and forgiving heart to accept those failures, consequences and flaws and still have love in the heart for the person who inflicted the pain. I know i have experienced such an instance, and i never did give my forgiveness. Some things just cannot be undone.

You have my respect for your words here and the forgiving heart you have within. A poignant, emotional write. Well Done.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Doodley for your kind response.

Chris
Heartfelt and sincere, and so true who are we to judge, we never walked in their footsteps or lived there life. Compassionate and caring.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Dee. When I think of how they lived in comparison to how we do, I count my lucky stars. Th.. read more
Onlyme

6 Years Ago

Exactly, Chris. Times back then were really brutal at times.
The old generation had it very hard. They suffered untold things. They went through hell and high water. I like how you put his life in a short perspective without being too judgemental. A peek through your lenses.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

How can you pass judgement when you haven't walked in their shoes? Life was terribly hard in those d.. read more
Fascinating read. It's sometimes difficult to fully realise our ancestors' lives were as real as ours are now. Like watching old B&W newsreels. But when we do focus on those lives phps they become more than names and dates in old records.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you for your response. I don't know why it happens, but when you start to research old records.. read more

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Added on June 23, 2018
Last Updated on June 23, 2018

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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